Chapter 1043

“...The pharmacist was right after all.”

Yuder couldn’t fully understand it—but it was true. Just as Inon had said, the moment Kishiar heard about their conversation, he smiled brighter than ever.

Kishiar looked so genuinely happy that Yuder momentarily forgot whatever else he’d intended to say.

“I didn’t expect you to be so happy about hearing how unsure I was about how to repay you.”

“No, that’s not the important part. What matters is that the person I treasure most wanted, for the very first time, to celebrate someone else’s birthday—and took it so seriously. And that ‘someone’ happened to be me. Tell me, what could be a happier story than that?”

Yuder could feel that Kishiar meant every word—he could sense it clearly in the emotions flowing from the man.

“...But.”

“But if you still feel it’s not enough, then... why don’t you tell me something else instead?”

Kishiar smiled playfully, watching Yuder’s slight frown as though he found it adorable, then made the suggestion with a cheerful face.

“Something else...?”

Was there really anything more to say? Yuder felt like he’d already told him everything worth telling. But Kishiar clearly didn’t agree—in fact, his eyes sparkled with anticipation as he sang out his reply.

“I want a proper introduction to all the items that have accumulated in this room—including the flowers. There’s nothing more special and delightful than hearing a homeowner talk about their own space. I also want to hear about your birthday, not just mine, and what kind of gifts you’ve received before—and why you thought they were useless. There’s plenty more I’d love to ask, but... let’s start with just that.”

“......”

He really said let’s start with just that after rattling off a list like that? How much more would he have gone on, had he not restrained himself? Yuder couldn’t quite believe it even as he listened. He was briefly overwhelmed, but seeing Kishiar soften his expression as if to say “it’s fine if you don’t want to,” Yuder eventually opened his mouth.

“...Would something like that truly be enough?”

“Answering honestly—absolutely. Sometimes, the things we can’t see are more precious than the ones we can. You know that too, don’t you?”

There was no denying it. Yuder lowered his gaze, recalling the feelings that had come to him as he thought about all he had received from Kishiar.

“...Understood. If that’s what you want.”

Still wrapped in the blanket, Kishiar allowed himself to be gently pulled to his feet. The two of them slowly walked around the small room, talking as they looked over the things that had gathered there over time.

There was a bookmark Kanna had bought from a flea market that opened irregularly in Sector 6. It was stuck in a book—gifted by Steber, who, surprisingly, enjoyed reading. The title was “57 Simple and Delicious Practical Wild Recipes for Travelers” by Buellang, the legendary bard who had traveled the continent for 47 years. It contained more useful tips than expected, and Yuder had committed a few of them to memory.

A strange little ornament from the Elder siblings sat atop a table that held a basin used for washing. Next to it was a towel far more vibrant than the standard Cavalry-issued ones—a vivid pink one, brought by Ever from their hometown.

“Ever’s hometown made a living off of dyeing and crafting high-quality fabrics. After using it, I realized it was quite good.”

In his past life, Yuder had never received anything like that from Ever. The memory struck him as surprising. Given how long they'd served together, it was odd how little he had known about her hometown’s specialties.

After recounting how much time he’d spent gathering cups to hold the dried flowers, Yuder finally came to a stop in front of the wardrobe. To him, this was the most troublesome, cluttered part of the room.

“...It’s a bit messy in here, so please don’t be too surprised.”

He grasped both doors with a click and opened them. The inside of the wardrobe was revealed to Kishiar.

Most of the clothing inside was identical black Cavalry uniforms, like they had been stamped from the same mold. On one side hung several dazzling formal outfits. Below them were stacks of high-end boxes, all neatly arranged—mostly containing items Kishiar had given him.

“Ah, I remember this snuffbox.”

Kishiar suddenly reached out and picked up one of the items. It was a celadon snuffbox, one of the gifts he’d showered Yuder with during their fake lovers act in western Tainu. ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) It had a hidden compartment inside that could store small personal items—something Yuder had found quite useful. But he hadn’t expected Kishiar to pick that item up, and was caught off guard.

“You haven’t actually used this, have you? I feel a bit guilty.”

“No... I’ve been using it.”

Kishiar widened his eyes a little, tilting his head as though surprised.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Yuder hesitated briefly, then took it from Kishiar’s hands. He opened the lid, pressed the bottom, and revealed the secret compartment hidden inside.

And in that space was a single tiny paper flower. Folded from colorful candy wrappers.

Kishiar’s smile vanished instantly.

“As you can see... I’ve been using it like this.”

He hadn’t opened it once since returning from the South, so even Yuder hadn’t seen the flower in a very long time. He stared at it and quietly spoke.

“I thought I might lose it, since it’s so small. So I kept it here.”

“...Honestly, I thought you would’ve thrown that away.”

Thrown it away—that was never an option. Not even back when every thought of Kishiar brought a surge of regret and pain.

Even now, looking at that flower made something in his chest stir. Maybe it was because the memory of the morning he first found it still clung so tightly to him.

Yuder gathered all those thoughts and gave a simple answer.

“...I didn’t want to.”

The man who had been staring at him like he was enchanted suddenly covered his face with his hand. His exposed cheek beneath the fingers was flushed a vivid red.

“...Commander?”

“My heart’s going to explode.”

“...What?”

“But I have to hold it in. At least until I’ve heard everything I want to hear.”

After a few deep breaths, Kishiar finally lowered his hand from his eyes. Unlike earlier, when he’d simply laughed in amusement, his gaze now carried a burning intensity as he whispered:

“...So. What’s next?”

After explaining the box that held all the items he’d been granted from the palace, only one thing remained. A small, worn bag he had brought when he first joined the Cavalry.

“There’s only one outfit and a bracelet left in here.”

“A bracelet?”

“My grandfather gave it to me before he passed away. He made it himself.”

As he spoke, Yuder pulled it out. The bracelet was clearly old and worn. Made by threading small, polished stones onto string, its durability had weakened to the point that it could no longer be worn.

“I’ve just kept it with me since joining the Cavalry.”

“To gift a child a hand-threaded bracelet like this... that’s a wish for them to live a long, prosperous life, filled with love.”

Kishiar gazed at the bracelet and quietly explained.

“That’s not just any gemstone—it’s made of magic stones. The black variety holds little internal mana and is considered low-grade, but that’s exactly why it symbolizes eternity and unchanging constancy. There are twenty-four beads—signifying all the hours of day and night. You can tell he worried about and cherished you very deeply.”

“......”

Is that so... Yuder looked down at the bracelet in his palm, suddenly overwhelmed by a strange feeling.

“I didn’t know it had that meaning.”

“Most young people wouldn’t. It’s nothing unusual.”

“You say that, but you’re still quite young yourself...”

“Haha. I just like this sort of thing. And I received more than my fair share of gifts for longevity from my father and mother, especially after my body became damaged.”

Kishiar chuckled.

“All those paintings hanging in the little dandelion room where we had lunch today? They were all specially chosen portraits—of long-lived imperial family members in their childhood. A kind of subtle prayer for me.”

So that’s why there were so many portraits of children with radiant blond hair...

“Then that means... now it’s time to hear about your birthday, right? I’ve been looking forward to it.”

After finishing the “room tour,” Kishiar moved straight to the bed and laid his head boldly on Yuder’s shoulder, as if he’d been waiting for this moment all along. That this no longer felt strange was what struck Yuder as strange.

With a small sigh, he opened his mouth to speak.